An Atlanta man convicted of shooting and killing a man outside a rooming house has been sentenced to life in prison.
On Thursday, June 13, 2024, jurors found Sincere Rush, 22, guilty on charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony stemming from the death of Marcus Bradford, 51, on November 28, 2022.
Today, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie, who presided over the trial, sentenced Defendant Rush to life in prison plus five years suspended.
According to the investigation, at around 10 p.m., officers with the DeKalb County Police Department responded to a report of a person shot at a home in the 3300 block of Clifton Church Road. When they arrived, they found Bradford on the ground in the carport of the home with a gunshot wound to his torso. Defendant Rush was also at the scene.
Investigators learned that the homeowner does not live on the property but instead rents each of the five bedrooms to separate tenants. Bradford’s girlfriend was one of these renters. She explained to police that she and Bradford were sitting in a car in the carport eating pizza when Defendant Rush came outside and confronted Bradford saying: “y’all know I sleep right here, right?”
Bradford got out of the car to talk to Defendant Rush and explained that he and his girlfriend were not being loud. However, Defendant Rush shot him.
Defendant Rush called 911 and claimed Bradford had approached him aggressively and that he shot Bradford in self-defense. Surveillance video from the carport captured audio and video of the incident. The footage showed Defendant Rush went to the carport with a gun while Bradford was unarmed during their exchange.
The case was assigned to the Homicide and Gangs Unit and prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tauri Thomas with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Emily Donkervoet. District Attorney Investigator Christopher Hollowood and Supervising Victim Advocate Ikwo Nyong provided support. DeKalb County Police Department Detectives Smith and Wright led the initial investigation.